Recent Articles
Local CD Reviews
Chicago-based Absolutely Perfect describes its music as “nothing you have ever heard before, yet strangely familiar.” While this sounds like typical self-promotion, these guys have actually nailed it. The band’s second release, the Live To Be . . . , has it serving up six bowls of thick, chunky basslines with sides of punk rhythms […]
Around Hear Pg. 2
Beyond boasting solid musicianship, Sam Reicher and Antony Ablan of Chicago-based quartet Blackdog can sing like seasoned vets, as heard on the band’s self-titled debut. Both have robust, gruff voices, which work with whatever sound the band is after, whether slow-churning blues (“Crawlin’ Kingsnake”) or classic rock (“Hey Mama”). Innovation may not be its strong […]
Sounds Like An Angel
“There hasn’t been a lot of growing in the blues. I don’t see any reason why it cannot grow. So many blues artists were innovative. Muddy Waters, he plugged in.” Shemekia Copeland Never Going Back (Telarc) reflects the ongoing evolution in the life and music of contemporary soulful blues diva Shemekia Copeland. Produced by guitarist/songwriter […]
Local Studio Happenings
Kevin Lee recorded at RAX TRAX in Chicago. He is co-producing his new album, Dusk Till Dawn, with Rick Barnes. The record is scheduled for an early summer release.
Reasons To Be Cheerful Pt. IV
Sound-alike syndicated shows have never gone over very well in The Windy City, where the preference for personal and authentic media dates back to the Chicago School Of Television. It emerged in the 1950s as a spontaneous, informal genre typified by shows such as “Garroway At Large,” “Kukla, Fran & Ollie,” and “Studs’ Place.” Look […]
Zoom, Zoom
Zoom H4n Handy Recorder Regular “Gear” readers know we’re big believers in taking our recorded songs to a professional studio instead of “futzing around” in basement hell. Getting those hit songs past the demo stage can be an easier process using some of today’s ultra-portable handheld recorders.
Blitzen Trapper live!
Blitzen Trapper Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, February 19, 2009 Which version of Blitzen Trapper do you prefer? The acoustic Dylan worshippers? The stomping students of Neil Young? The feverish punk rockers? The swampy psychedelic love child of a merger between The Black Crowes and Led Zeppelin?
The Submarines live!
The Submarines Schubas, Chicago Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Much like a Chicago summer, The Submarines breeze in and out with little fanfare, a heaping dose of sunshine, and the promise of wishful thinking turning into reality.
Appleseed Cast preview
The Appleseed Cast Bottom Lounge, Chicago Friday, February 27, 2009 Back in college, The Appleseed Cast and me were best buds. We were into the jagged side of Sunny Day Real Estate, a land where bands like Mineral and Joan Of Arc made welts on their arms by tying guitar strings around them. That poppy […]
Burn Halo preview
Burn Halo Allstate Arena, Rosemont Friday, February 27, 2009 I swear (by the moon and the stars and the sky), swear, swear, swear, that when I was plotting the angle of this “Stage Buzz” while listening to Burn Halo’s self-titled debut, I had no idea the group was opening for Avenged Sevenfold.
These Arms Are Snakes, All The Saints preview
These Arms Are Snakes, All The Saints Subterranean, Chicago Saturday, February 28, 2009 Predictability’s not the first thing you look for in post hardcore bands, and it seems to have hit home with Seattle’s typically flailing These Arms Are Snakes.
Wolfy preview
Wolfy Elbo Room, Chicago Tuesday, March 3, 2009 Wolfy’s members aren’t French. Far from it, actually. They’re from Indianapolis. But neirth their home city nor country seems to have had the biggest influence on the band: It’s France.
The Low Anthem review
The Low Anthem Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (self-released) All three of Rhode Island’s musicians joined forces three years ago, and after two albums containing a sweeping overview of Western civ, record three lands in time for Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday. Appearing: Saturday, February 28th at Martyrs’ in Chicago.
The Pretenders live!
The Pretenders Riviera Theatre, Chicago Sunday, February 15, 2009 Most of the names and faces may have changed, but the one constant in The Pretenders is Chrissie Hynde, the rugged frontwoman who first cut her teeth on the late-’70s punk/early-’80s new wave circuits. Though those sounds categorized much of the band’s offerings up through the […]
Antony & The Johnsons live!
Antony & The Johnsons Vic Theatre, Chicago Thursday, February 12, 2009 Antony Hegarty learned quickly that levity is a key ingredient to making his concerts enjoyable. While his operatic quiver has the power to decimate an audience — but, hanging on his vibrato, the weight of his compositions is liable to suffocate. He creates an […]
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